Bullets... not the metal kind

Oh what busy-ness lately!

So, I'm going to keep this short, because it's been some long days lately, as things are starting to pick up.

1. My roommate is back from Korea! How exciting!! It was nice to see a light on when I got home tonight.

2. I got some packages that I had shipped over here (thanks Mom for mailing them!)... I wasn't at home when they first tried to deliver them, and so they left a note. Yuiko helped call and set up a time for them to deliver it. When I got home that afternoon, I had another note (from the 2nd box)... so when the guy came, I was really excited to receive my package! BUT, what really made my day was the fact that I showed him the other note, told him, IN JAPANESE, that there were two boxes. He offered to come between 7 and 9pm, but I told him that I would be leaving at 7:30, so he said he would come before 7. All this was in Japanese, and I was pretty excited.
Unfortunately: he brought by my roommate's box, who had also had one received. But, he brought it, and that means that I wasn't wrong in my communication, he just brought the one addressed to her instead of to me.

3. Yuiko took me to the doctor so that I could get prescriptions for the medications that I normally take. Let's just say that the health insurance program here rocks. Also, at one point the doctor cracked a joke, saying that for the entire prescription I would pay the equivalent of a good meal here... and the man just kept laughing and laughing. Actually, watching him laugh amused me way more than the joke did.

4. The other night, we had life group at Machida, a station about 15 minutes by train here. We ran by the store to pick up some stuff, and I was the last one to check out. When I came out, there was no one there! Apparently, they were in the store next to it, waiting for me. But I thought they left me. So, I entered the train station, somehow found my gate and everything (which I almost walked past, because nothing looked familiar until something that's somewhat common caught my eye (granted, I've only been here 3 times before, and never in this part, at least that I'm aware of), but I found the train that I needed and made it!! I was kinda proud of myself. Anyhow, they texted me when I was getting on the train asking where I was, and they eventually ran and caught the same express since it didn't leave for a few minutes... though we didn't ride in the same car.

5. There are 18... yes, 18 vending machines between my house and the nearest train station... which is a 10 minute walk away. And those are the ones I counted on bike, not trying to look on the other side of the street. So, there may be more. But, they sell everything from hot and cold coffee, water, tea, sodas, cigarettes and just about anything you can imagine. You will never die of thirst in Japan... unless you don't have money.

6. Tomorrow I have an interview for teaching an English class at a YMCA. I'll be interested to see how that goes.

7. One of the young people, who is becoming a leader and is basically in charge of translating, told me that my Japanese is at a level of being here 2-3 months. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it made me feel good, and it's better than nothing! It'll start picking up more, especially as I hope to be in classes soon!

I think I'll leave that for now, and I hope that I'll be able to blog soon. Normally, I'd try to blend this all and make it smooth, but it's a miracle that I'm getting it done tonight, and this fast.

SO, lo and behold, I'm finally off to bed.

Oh Boy Oh Bug

Last night, I was laying in bed, thinking, I haven't blogged yet! But I figured it could wait. Among other thoughts in bed last night: giant cockroaches.

Yesterday, I found out that in Tokyo, cockroaches are a problem in the summer. I did not know this, and am glad no one told me about this beforehand. Some places have it more than others, and if you have a clean kitchen and a concrete building, you're less likely to have them.

But, for those of you who might not have known: I really hate bugs. I'm pretty sure what I do could be considered a tribal dance in some parts of the world when I have to kill a bug. It is a sight to be seen... and the thought of cockroaches just makes me crawl inside (no pun intended). Mark told me yesterday about flying cockroaches, but when I googled it (to see if it was real or if he was playing with me), I found only one post about it, and only in the rural areas of Japan. Just the thought that I won't be dealing with flying ones makes dealing with regular, nasty, 2-3 inch ones a smidgin better, in the grand scheme of things.

I'm not going to continue too much longer on the subject, because it just makes me shudder inside. However, there has been talk of my moving to another apartment when Hannah and Amy leave in a month. It's kinda my decision, though everyone's opinion has been that I should move.

I've considered my options. At my present location, my apartment is on ground level. It has considerable more space, and a heated carpet... Yes, that's right-- my carpet is electric. And beautiful. I like the general decor of the house. A negative side is that my neighbors are crazy, and sometime later, I will comment on that.

The other apartment is smaller, maybe considerably? (which also means it's cheaper when and if you use the heat), but rent is also obviously cheaper. However, they also have warm toilet seats (yes, many toilet seats in Japan are heated). Perhaps this does not mean anything to you... but let me just say that I know a guy who bought one here and took it home to the States for his mom. No further comments. About this other apartment, I do know that you have to light something? Maybe a pilot light? And if you know my history with pilot lights, you'll know that that is quite a negative (good thing I have a roommate to do those kinds of things!). Oh, it's also on the 2nd floor, and you have to squeeze past a washing machine to get to it.

Today, when walking down in Machida, I asked Amy about cockroaches and if she had a problem with them during the summer in her apartment. She said, no, we didn't have a problem, only a couple, but you have a problem in your's.

And that, my friends, sealed the deal. I will be moving the day after they leave.

In other news, yesterday I met my English student. It seems like it will be a good class, and since she is an assistant professor of Social Work at a university here in Japan, I will get to learn too alot about social issues and family things in Japan. She's really nice. I really like her.

Afterward, I went to Mark and Yuiko's house for lunch and then just to hang out for a while and talk and get to know each other. I asked a lot, a lot of questions about the ministry, culture and things like pressure from the family with regards to Christianity. They were really good to answer all of my questions without being tired of them (I'm a question-asker)... they also asked me questions about my personal history and things like that. We told stories and laughed a lot. I really enjoyed my afternoon with them and considered it very well spent.

Today was the Fuse meeting, and that's always a long day. You can check out from last week what we generally do, but it was good today, and Mark gave a message on Sakura/Easter. Sakura, you know, is the beautiful cherry blossom that lasts for only like 10 days or so. It's a huge thing here in Japan... and is scheduled for this week. So, he related that to Christ and how death brings life, etc., etc. It was really good.

Afterward, we broke up into the super-small groups, and talked a bit about it. Yuiko, 2 guys and a girl were in the group that I was in... and Yuiko asked if I would lead it because it's hard to translate and lead at the same time. I was a little taken off guard, but I hope that I did okay. The two guys shared some during the time, and Yuiko and I each shared a story... but in the end, I hope it ministered to them.

Anyhow, that was today... we all had a good time, and I bonded more with Saki-chan, which is good, since I think I'll be her life group leader when the other girls are gone.

Welllll... that's all for now. I've got a few other things to work on and then to get some sleep!!

Ode to the Umbrella

Today I got around the crack of dawn... okay, not really, around 7:50am, to talk to my parents on Skype. For the first time, we had a record "least amount of problems connecting". But still, it was good to talk for a while.

Today, it rained... All. Day. From what I hear, this is how the rains are here... Constant and long... not one heavy shower for a period of time. But anyhow, I got ready to leave this afternoon and stood outside, looking at the rain dropping on my bike seat and the general dreariness of the day. I paused there at my door, contemplating, okay.... do I really want to do this?

I knew that if I rode the bike that I could make it there in 20 minutes-ish... But that I'd also have to carry an umbrella at the same time AND my purse would get all wet. That would require some coordination and I'd have to hope there were few people in the crowded, narrow parts of town. There is little space in many parts of this city! On the other hand, I could walk, but it would take me longer (and it was cold)... and, well... that was my only real consideration.

I grabbed the umbrella from right inside the door, and as I pulled it out, I moaned... awh MAN! Not only was it made-for-a-child-tiny, but when I pulled it, my hand just kept going. The top part came off, and so I ended up walking, holding the umbrella at my ear. And basicaly, the only good it did was to keep my head and shoulders dry, and about the top half of my purse.

Half-way there, I saw convenience store that had umbrellas for sale... so I stopped and joyfully picked one up. Oh to be dry! And not even dry, but just not to get more wet by the rain!

Anyway, I made it to the Bible study where I was destined, and met some of the guys who are playing this weekend at the FUSE along the way. We had a good Bible study... and yesterday, I had made some salsa for the girls who had been so kind to help me lately, and they added velveeta cheese that someone had sent them from the States (who thinks of that?) but it was really, very good.

It was at this point that I found out that it is illegal to ride a bike with an umbrella. Note that everyone does it anyway, but still, it's illegal. However, if you get in an accident, it's automatically your fault. It's the equivalent of rear-ending someone in the States. It's just gonna be your fault.

The girls were really kind though this evening and walked home with me, walking with their bikes! They could have been home in just a few, but they walked home anyway, along side their bikes. Kengo and Yuiko did that the other day when they were with me... I wonder if that's just what you do? Perhaps I would have done it, but the point is-- on a cold rainy night, they could have been home a lot faster than they got home.

And beside, we had good conversation and laughs.

Well, right now, the warm carpet (yes, they have carpet warmers here... wonderful, wonderful things) and my bed are calling me, as I'm sitting here and my fingers are starting to freeze over. I know, I exaggerate.

Anyhow, I bid you adieu.

I Will Survive... Sing it!!

It is so weird to look down at my computer and see that it is 1:30am, and you are just starting Tuesday when I am already halfway through the afternoon.

So, since I last wrote, I have done quite a few things. One thing I discovered lately was that you really need to check what you think you're using when you're cooking. How do I know that? Because I used vinegar oil to cook garlic and noodles in. I made a few funny faces while trying a few bites and in went my lunch to the trash can. I ended up having toast.

Since then, I have made some progress in my cooking skills, just so you know.

So, last night, I went to a life group with Amy... actually I met her there-- it was at a McDonalds, since all life groups are done at public places, for all kinds of cultural and practical reasons. It was with a girl named Saki, who is so adorable! We're doing discipleship with her (well, not "we" yet), but the topic of last night was our identity in Christ. It was basically looking up the "I am" and "I have... in Christ" statements... We looked them up and then made up the "I" statement and discussed them.

It was really cool to watch Saki's face at one point when we talked about the verse that says we are God's temple. At first, she didn't understand it and asked if it meant that we have temples inside of us. Then when we explained and used examples, her face really just lit up. It was cool because you could see that it clicked and that she realized that God lived inside of her and that she already has Him, she doesn't have to go to a "place" to find God.

That was probably the best-- watching that moment she understood-- wow! And a big smile came over her face.

Of course, she came to know many other things too, and one that was particularly special to her was If God is for us, who can be against us?-- because at times she felt those pullings of going one way when Jesus was saying to go another way-- and she knows now that no enemy is undefeatable.

Anyway, it was really cool! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's interesting, because in Mexico and in the States, you had some basis for explaining things to people... they generally have an idea, even if it's skewed. But here, it's like a blank slate-- and so like last night, we explained what redemption meant, and all those kinds of things.

Anyway, today after the prayer breakfast and Fuse team planning meeting, Yuiko took me to register for my Alien Registration card (sounds fun, huh) and health insurance. I think it's a rule that if you're in Japan for more than 3 months that you have to have insurance. So, I have it now, and a nice little card to carry around. In about 3 weeks or so, I'll go for my alien registration card and that'll be the equivalent, I guess, of my Drivers License Identification (only, I can't drive, but I think for identification purposes, it's its equivalent).

So, fun times. I'm learning more every day, exploring more everyday-- oh and did I mention that I found my way all the way to the church today? And that's a good half-hour walk. I also learned how to use the rice maker, whose buttons I completely don't understand. Nonetheless, I have rice, and it's the right consistency. If all else fails, I can survive on rice.

Yeah, that's what I thought too...

A Sunday Edition

So, last night, you may recall that I blogged about taking the storm windows out. Well, apparently I missed one. BUT, what I didn't realize is that they slide into the walls of the house. Think Japanese sliding doors on the inside-- now think windows on the outside.

I got to bed around 11 last night, and at 1am I was suddenly awakened by the huge banging noise again, right. Oh man.... it was sooo loud. The girls said today that it was like typhoon style winds, but it sounded like a hurricane was going on outside or a tornado or something. The wind blew and shook the house and rattled, that storm door tucked into the wall.

Around 3:40, I really couldn't take it anymore, because I'd been awake just praying for it to stop, and I sat up on the other little couch in my room and looked outside and when the wind blew, I saw it rattling. Ahhhh! I've discovered it. So, I opened my window, pulled it out and laid it out. Now, picture this-- me, leaning over a couch, with a huge open window and the wind blowing like crazy, trying to manuever a huge storm window and put it on the ground without making more noise than was necessary.

I shut and locked the window, laid back down and 2 minutes later- was out. Tonight it's quite windy again, but the storm window is already out, and until the wind goes away, I'm not putting them back in!

Today, the missionary girls all met for breakfast at McDonald's (well, we mostly just met for coffee), and a Bible study. We talked about yesterday at the Fuse, and then we read and journalled on a passage, and then shared our perspectives and what God spoke to us. It was cool.

Afterward, Mark met us (Yuiko and I) there, and the girls went home and we stayed and had a chat. They shared their vision and heart and other relevant information for being an effective minister in Japan, including American-ness, and how that can be effective. It was good to sit down with them and chat. I shared a little of my expectations with them, and some short term goals that I had and we came to an agreement as to things to be doing now.

Of course, I'm in a stage right now where it's mostly learning and observing. From what it looks like, I'll get about 5-6 weeks of that (of course, being involved and participating and doing it with them, certainly). After that, I'll be taking over responsibilities that certain of the girls here have had that will be leaving, and it'll be gradual from there. Certain of those things will include like admin stuff, and a life group and various things.

We also talked about some practical stuff and then I made my way home. I made it all the way, by the way, without a cell phone or anything, and it's a walk that has a few turns in it. But it wasn't really that hard. :)

Anyway, the other point of interest for today was a singular accomplishment: I killed my first Japanese bug today. I was laying in bed, and looked up at the wooden border that's about 2 feet from the ceiling and thought, oh my, what is that?!? Then I said, dangit, I'm gonna have to kill you. That's another thing I miss about the States: having 4 other people in the house to kill bugs for me. Granted, I'm adept in the science myself, but whenever possible, I like to have others kill my bugs. Don't be deceived, it doesn't come for any compassionate bone in my body; I just hate bugs.

Japanese Hair

So, today I met this guy, Baki, who, to me, looks like he's 15, right? He's 30.

I also tried to tell this kid Yuto (who actually is 15, and turning 16 next week) that he has cool hair. I made the motion with my hand to describe his hair. We had a bit of a language barrier. He turned to Mark, who was with us, and said, did she just call me crazy?

Apparently, whatever I did made it look like I was calling him crazy.

But he did have cool hair! As as a statement, Japanese guys in general have really cool hair. Kengo, who plays guitar with us, and met Jesus a year ago, has awesome hair! We girls often have the conversation of how he gets it to stand like that.

Anyway, enough of hair. Today was a really long day. I did good sleeping though! We left for Machida, the location of the church plant, in the morning, carrying a few things with us on the train. When we got to the cafe style place (think dimly lit, black walls-coffee house) where the Fuse meeting (the name of the church plant) takes place. We dropped off the stuff, including our coats because it was be-u-ti-ful weather. After praying for a few minutes, we proceeded to walk for 2 hours around the area, handing out flyers, and talking with whomever we could.

Now, there are a lot of people who pass out flyers, and it's crazy how many there are. But- we have good flyers that catch attention, and we aim for college age people (though, like you might have noticed, it's hard to guess age)... anyone who's into music and whoever else. So, we did that and then came back to quickly go over who was doing what (set up, greeting, going to the train station to pass out a few more flyers), etc. etc.

Honestly, I wasn't of much help, because it was my first time and I didn't know what to do or how to do it. But, I observed and chatted as much as I could with some of the people, like Yuto. Oh, and I did go up to the entrance with Tatsu, a college age student who is Japanese but spent quite a bit of time in Hawaii. He speaks good English and taught me a few things like how to say the day before yesterday, yesterday, today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Granted, I learned them a couple of weeks ago, but it was helpful! Mark says he's really good with helping the non-Japanese speakers with their language skills, and he also does translation for various things going on during the meeting.

So, anywho, they had worship which was really, really good-- They play awesome! It was neat to sing the songs both in English and Japanese (though I have to say that I probably know them better in Spanish). But nonetheless, it was cool. After that, Debbie, a young lady who's been here since last May (her fam are missionaries in Brazil), gave the message about perseverance. It was a very good message, and it was relevant to the new believers as well as evangelistic, and it was encouragement even for mature believers. She did an excellent job!

What's cool about the Fuse and the set-up of it is that after the message- we split up into what's called super-small groups. I guess that everyone just makes sure that there's an English and a Japanese speaker and a leader (one of the helpers with the Fuse) in each small group of 4 to 5. We sit down and talk about something relevant to the message and what's practical. For instance, today's message was about perseverance- and today's question kinda was do you have a goal that you're working toward and how can we support you in that?

Of course, that's more of like an ice-breaker, but it gives you a chance to talk about the message and encourage newcomers to fill out the response card (with contact info so we can contact them in the next couple of days). This way, they don't just leave and log that out of their memory. But we have the opportunity to really think about the message, see where they are and what they understand, and then it will stick with them.

It's really cool!

So, in my group were Yuiko (the main leader of the Fuse, with her husband, Mark) and a girl from China named Kin-chan. She's been coming for 4 weeks (and is attending Yuiko's "life group"), and she was encouraged to know that other people go through periods of searching for the purpose of their life. We all prayed together before we left, and I prayed for her that she would find the purpose of her life (obviously, in Christ!), and thank God that we weren't created without purpose. Yuiko also prayed, and then Kin-chan prayed, and it was so cute because I could kinda see that she was wringing her fingers while she prayed. She prayed for me that I'd be able to learn Japanese quickly so that I could communicate with people, and afterward, she told Yuiko that it was the first time she'd ever prayed out loud. Yuiko told me then that I was the first person that she prayed for. I was like, wow!

I hope she will come to a saving knowledge of Christ and a relationship with Him very soon! I'm sure she will.

Anyhow, then we all went out to dinner and chatted around. We had fun coming home, and though it was only 7:15 (granted, we left at 10:30am), it felt like it was 9! I came home to continue the process of unpacking and organizing myself. Now today, it was warm and windy and was blowing things around, right? Well, all of a sudden, it sounds like someone is violently shaking the window right next to where I'm sitting. It certainly startled me. I sent a couple of messages asking people if they knew why this was going on. After a while, I got an answer that it was the storm windows. So, I opened my window took them out and laid them on the ground. Now the wind has settled down, but man, it sounded pretty crazy and rackety.

Alright, that was my today. Here are a few random notes that maybe you'd like to know:

-Tomorrow, apparently the missionary girls get together with Yuiko (who is beautiful, by the way) and have a "life group" (which is like a discipleship group). I love that we all get together a lot, and pray a lot! That's awesome. Afterward, I'll have a meeting with Mark and Yuiko to kinda get more orientated, and I think we'll be talking more about some scheduling and some of the things that I'll be involved in or in charge of. And in the evening is church-- at the Noborito church... it's a bilingual service, and the one that I attended when I visited here the last time.

-I'll meet my English student this Friday, and I think I'll go meet the guy in charge at the YMCA, where I'll be teaching a class starting in a couple of weeks.

-Apparently, this is a really good time that I came. Everyone just left on break for a couple of weeks, so things are kinda calm and relaxed, so I'm not falling right into the middle of things, but I have time to get oriented right before things start to pick up.

-I've been listening a lot, reading everything I can on the signs that I go by, and eavesdropping a lot. I'm always excited when I can piece together what they're saying and answer questions. Granted, I'm far off, but I understand a WHOLE lot more than I did last year and it will come. Even Kin-chan asked Yuiko if I'd studied beforehand because she saw that I was understanding and I'd ask Yuiko if she'd asked such and such before Yuiko translated for me. So, I'm pleased with that, because that is a goal that I'll be working hard toward!

** Note: I'll try not to make these posts so long in the future, but there's a lot to talk about right now! :) Hope you're enjoying!

I have a cell phone and I don't really know how to use it...

Man, it's 9:30pm here and I feel whipped!

But, I did get lots of stuff accomplished today. I woke up and got up for an hour and a half at 6:30... had a good quiet time, checked my mail and went back to bed.... When I got up, I got ready for the day, and also did things like: the dishes! And I explored our kitchen and the things in the small shelves that we have. Of course, I didn't know what most of it was.

In fact, I was looking for sugar to put in my coffee, and I opened one container of sugary like substance, and well... it wasn't it. So I decided: I don't need sugar in this.

Anyway, I also went to the dollar store to get some things I know I'll need around the house and to the grocery store.... Hannah and Amy once again went with me to kinda show me what things I can or should get at what stores. I figured out more of where I was and what I was doing... and even led the way home from the church, which is a 20 minute or so walk.

Got biking practice. Can you believe that? Janine, biking through Tokyo.

Among other cool things, we had Friday evening prayer, where we all gather to pray for the needs of one another and the meeting of the weekend and the various people that we know are close to a decision. That was really cool to join with them in prayer... we all ate dinner together and then they had band practice in the evening for tomorrow. So, I stayed for that and listened in.

Well, it's not much, but I felt like I accomplished a lot today... and realized that in my receipt keeping, I'm going to have a lot to work on! :) Also! I got a cell phone that was another team member's. He went back to the states, so I'm using it now. I feel important... but, I don't know how to use it or who to call or what I'm really supposed to do with it...

I guess that will come later.

Tomorrow is the meeting and a really long day, so I don't know if I'll get to write tomorrow. For tonight, I'm super tired, so I'm going to bed. Catchya later!

Todo, we're not in Kansas anymore...

No indeed.

This has been an interesting last 48 hours. Tuesday morning, at 4:30am, the alarm went off and up I got after having slept about 4 hours. I showered, I did my hair, finished packing and sat down to coffee and the weather forecast... not that it mattered.

At the airport, we sat down to our tradition: coffee at Starbucks. After joking around a little, and hushing my brothers whenever they said anything scandalous that you don't usually like to hear at airports (i.e. bomb), we did the part that I most dreaded: the death march.

That's right. The little stretch of hallway between Starbucks and the security checkpoint. That's where all the teary hugs and the I'll miss you's and take care's and I love you's take place, and it's the one part of the whole process that I dread. If I could leave and not have to do goodbyes in general, this would be an easy thing.

But alas, it is a necessary part of life.

Anyhow, I made it to Dallas with little trip up. I've had times where it's taken me forever to get out of St. Louis and I was concerned about that. But all went smoothly and I was able to grab lunch in the airport before doing a final call to my fam before I boarded my next 13 hour flight.

I counted my good fortune too soon. I was SO close to having an empty seat next to me, but then a lady wanted an aisle seat. So, I got a lady from Bolivia who, by the time the flight had ended, had proposed a trip for me to Bolivia (to work there, of course) and mentioned that her son was very handsome, etc. She was a very nice lady though, and I helped her fill out her customs and immigration forms.

It wasn't my favorite flight. I don't want to sound negative, but for the first 7 hours, the kid behind me kicked and pushed the back of my seat. He was about 7 years old, and you can't really ask a kid to be quiet and still for that many hours. The last few hours I didn't feel too good...had a stopped up nose and was nauseated.

Beware of the chicken served on the airplane, that's all I have to say about it.

So, before I went through immigration, I stopped off at the bathroom where I threw up my last meal. I felt better after that!

Anyhow, no problems going through immigration or customs. I left, exchanged money, with all my luggage. And let me mention, that you have a limit of 2 pieces of 50 lbs. of luggage. I managed to make it to 99.5 lbs. Yes, we did cheer in the airport.

So, exchanged money, bought a bus ticket to Shinyurigaoka, made a phone call letting the people here know what time I'd be here, bought some water and then stacked my 99.5lbs of checked luggage and two carry-ons on either side of me, and I collapsed in a chair, exhausted.

Five minutes later, I grabbed everything and went to go get on the 2.5 hour bus ride.

A number of team members were there to meet me. In fact, when I stood up on the bus to get off, I looked out and saw them out on the sidewalk on the other side of the bus and they started cheering. It made me smile.

I got stopped before stepping off and they took a picture, and we took many pictures and then took the train station to Mukogakoyuen (not that that really matters to you! ;), a few stops later, and someone else met us to take my luggage to my apartment.

At my apartment, four of us stayed: Amy, Hannah and So-chan, my Korean roommate, who is super-sweet. Hannah and So-chan made dinner of Japanese curry rice. It was soooo good.

They stayed and chatted for a while and left after 9pm and I didn't bother unpacking but went to bed around 10.

At 5:30am (Japan time: 3:30pm here), I started waking up and did a quiet time, and went back to bed and eventually got up at 8:30. After somewhat unpacking and getting showered, cleaned up and ready for the day, Amy came and picked me up, and we went to lunch with more members of the group. It was great, and I got to know many of them, and they I better.

Family members were also in town, and they were going to go to various places like the Shinjuku towers and Shibuya (which has the busiest Starbucks in the world), so Amy and I went there, and then by 3:30pm, I was getting a bit tired, so I decided to head back. Amy took me by the 100 yen store (roughly, the dollar store), and I got a few things that I knew I needed and came and unpacked more.

At the risk of telling you all the details, I'll leave you with a few things:

-Today, So-chan boiled a sweet potato (not like the ones in the States, but they taste really similar) and I got a piece for breakfast. I opened the fridge to look for the butter. I paused, looked around and said to myself: I don't know which one's the butter. I closed the door, headed the other way and said, "I don't need butter with this." :)

-After visiting Hannah and Amy's apartment, I came back by myself! It's a 5 minute walk, and really easy, but I was proud of myself for finding my apartment by myself.

-Tomorrow is fasting day until 5pm... So, I don't really have to worry about groceries!

-Other than that, I'm still kind in exploration mode: figuring out what's where, how to accomplish things like getting to the grocery store, where and how to pay bills, how hot water, the stove and the heaters and other things like that work. Oh! And turning things on and off, becuase you know, they don't say on and off like regular appliances that we have (had) in the States do.

Anyhow, I'm going to get going. I hope to blog again tomorrow. Feel free to comment!!

Last Things

Oh my gosh, I'm SOOO tired. It's been a long day... a long few days!

So, tomorrow I'm off. Off to Japan. I'm pretty excited, although to tell the truth it still kinda seems unreal. Today was full of last minute things like a trip to Walmart, laundry and cutting my nails so that they don't get broken, torn, bent or otherwise damaged tomorrow. That ALWAYS happens when I fly, and so I've learned to clip them!

Also today, I re-packed my suitcases. I weighed the one suitcase and it was 62.5 lbs.. and of course, the limit is 50lbs. Unfair, right? I know. So, my ma helped me rearrange items, and all in all, I took out a number of books that I will send over along with some other things that I need to take over, but I just didn't have the room. Oh well.

We had dinner, laughed, joked around, a friend added some fun to my hair. I ended up doing a lot today... but I won't mention them all, I'll just say that I enjoyed mentally crossing yet another thing off my list... all those small nagging things that fly through your mind.

In the last few days, I've made a list of things that I will miss about the States. Yes, family and friends are at the very top, and that goes without saying. So just count yourselves there. Anyhow, that list contained things like: being able to read all the signs, driving, driving with very loud music, a ready supply of Mexican food, stilletos, and shows like The Amazing Race and Project Runway. Target! Oh, I do love Target. Some silly things, but I will miss everyone and many things I leave behind.

Well, I need to get to bed... I'm super tired, and do need to get to sleep before quite a few hours of travelling.

Will write from Japan! Stay in touch!